A 10-minute presentation by Debbie Plouffe
As the world searches for sustainable ways to feed a growing population, the future does not lie only on land, but also in our waters.
In this 10-minute talk recorded for Sea the Future 2026, Debbie Plouffe explores how genetic innovation is transforming aquaculture into a smarter, more resilient, and more sustainable engine for global food security.
Aquaculture has been documented as the fastest-growing source of animal protein, but growth by scale alone is no longer enough. Climate volatility, disease pressure and environmental constraints demand a more sophisticated approach: precision genetic innovation.
Debbie reveals how CAT’s genome editing work has moved beyond theory and into commercial deployment, reshaping what’s possible for aquaculture production.
An important part of this innovation is the ability to address containment concerns through genome editing and to reliably produce 100% sterile fish. Sterility is not just a biological feature; it is a foundational safeguard. It:
- Addresses environmental and regulatory concerns
- Prevents interbreeding with wild populations
- Enables responsible commercial deployment of enhanced traits
- Enhances growth by redirecting energy from reproduction to biomass
- Protects proprietary genetics
Through our strategic partnership with Brazilian Fish, the CAT team have already applied genome editing at a commercial scale in tilapia production in Brazil. Guided by our expertise in breeding and leveraging our mobile genome-editing laboratory, the CAT team has worked to deliver sterility as well as improved growth, feed efficiency, and fillet yield into existing breeding programs, all while preserving genetic diversity and preventing genetic drag.
Thousands of edited fish are now growing as broodstock in Brazil, with regulatory processes underway and commercialization on track.
The economic implications of incorporating genome editing are staggering. Financial modelling shows that genome editing in Brazil’s tilapia sector alone could create incremental growth of hundreds of millions of dollars annually, driven by improvements in growth performance, feed efficiency, and filet yield, all without expanding environmental footprint.
At a global scale, even a single improved trait can significantly increase food output while conserving resources. This is not simply about better fish. It’s about strengthening food systems.
Debbie concludes with a clear vision: genome editing will not replace traditional breeding; it will significantly enhance it. As a powerful tool in the breeder’s toolbox, it offers a pathway to greater productivity, resilience, and sustainability.
If climate resilience and sustainable protein are priorities for you, this talk explores the transformative shift already underway.
Watch the full 10-minute presentation to see how genetic innovation is shaping the future of blue food security.